Knee decisions — 2000

The Board denied increased evaluations for postoperative residuals of a left medial meniscectomy and arthritis of the left knee, finding that the evidence did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his residuals of a right knee injury, maintaining the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding that his current back, hip, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service or service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities warrant a 30 percent evaluation each, based on severe impairment with 'bone-on-bone' contact and progressive osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for a cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support the presence or current existence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for left knee injury with degenerative joint disease. The veteran's claims folder must be made available to the examiner.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disorders are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral retropatellar syndrome does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the left knee or a compensable rating for the right knee.

The Board found that the veteran intentionally shot himself in the left knee, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The evidence showed he was sane at the time and had reasonable motives for doing so. Therefore, his injuries were deemed to be due to willful misconduct.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, right wrist disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's head injury with residual headaches and denied a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 2000. The claim for service connection for bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient legal criteria in the statement of the case and supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, sinusitis, residuals of a fractured tibia and fibula, hypertension, damage to the fifth cranial nerve, and reopening of a claim for gastrointestinal disorder. The evidence does not support a well-grounded claim for any of these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right hip disabilities, as well as his request for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for left knee disability, and there was no current evidence linking the right hip disability to service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for instability of the left knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and partial meniscectomy. The other conditions remain at their current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or linking current conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable colon syndrome. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left femoral shaft fracture does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it is currently well-healed and does not cause more than slight knee disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia patella and DJD, more closely approximates a condition compatible with not more than dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. As such, the Board granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for his service-connected wrist, knee, and toe disabilities.